OSPRI News Page

(NASA) PROPOSAL REMINDER: Foreign Collaborations, Research Security Training & Updated Forms 

-August 5, 2026

• Foreign Collaboration Restrictions (Wolf Amendment): NASA-funded projects are subject to restrictions on certain foreign collaborations, particularly those involving China or Chinese-affiliated entities. NASA reaffirmed this restriction in January 2026 in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (§ 526, P.L. 119‑74), following congressional inquiries into potential noncompliance and undisclosed ties between U.S. researchers and Chinese institutions. Please review any international collaborations, partners, or visiting scholars associated with your project.
• Research Security Training: In accordance with the NASA Grant Information Circular 26-02 beginning August 5, 2026, all covered individuals named on NASA proposals must attest that they have completed required research security training prior to proposal submission.
• UCCS Research Security Training Webpage
• Updated NASA Forms: NASA has released updated Biographical Sketch and Current & Pending Support forms that include the research security training certification. Required after August 5, 2026.

(DOE) Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment Regulations Finalized

-July 16, 2026

"The Department of Energy (DOE or Department) is amending its Financial Assistance Regulations to establish conflict of interest and conflict of commitment policies and requirements for non-Federal entities applying for or receiving financial assistance awards from the Department, and to implement and standardize certain disclosure requirements applicable to financial assistance applications and awards, including responsibilities, general rules, and procedures for non-Federal entities to identify, evaluate, resolve, and report conflicts of interest, conflicts of commitment, and organizational conflicts of interest, in financial assistance applications and awards."

What This Means for UCCS Researchers

Effective August 17, 2026, DOE has codified their COI and COC requirements. Recipients of DOE funding should familiarize themselves with these requirements. This includes the expansion of "covered individuals," mandatory COI training every two years (Research Security Training can be used as training) as well as before DOE funding and within 30 days of being added as a covered individual, required COI disclosures prior to proposal as well as annually and within 15 days of a new conflict, and disclosure of actual, apparent, or potential COIs related to foreign governments and entities. Visit the UCCS COI page for more information on COI requirements for DOE.

(NSF) Prohibition on Collaborations with Restricted Entities - Research Security Update

-July 8, 2026

• NSF has announced a forthcoming policy, expected in FY 2027, that will prohibit the use of NSF funds for collaborations with organizations on certain U.S. government restricted party lists. Senior/key personnel on NSF awards also may not hold appointments with or receive research support from these restricted entities.
• NSF plans to require certifications of compliance at proposal submission, and institutions will be responsible for ensuring compliance before NSF funds are expended. Faculty with international collaborations or foreign appointments should review these upcoming requirements and contact OSPRI with questions.
• UCCS External Activities Webpage

Learn more: NSF Dear Colleague Letter, Prohibition on Collaborations with Restricted Entities.

(NSF) NSF SECURE Center Releases Research Security Refresher Training Module

-June 24, 2026

"The NSF SECURE Center has developed a 30-minute research security annual/refresher training module (ARTM) and is making it available to the community through a variety of channels. The ARTM training further condenses the Center’s consolidated training module (CTM), released in June 2025, while retaining key messaging and adding case studies and information responsive to questions from researchers in focus groups conducted by the Center. T. Like the CTM training, it is designed to meet the CHIPS and Science Act requirements. Institutions have the option of using the training as their primary training or as an annual refresher in follow-up to the CTM training."

What this means for UCCS researchers

CITI has updated their training offerings to include this 30-minute training course. UCCS will require an initial completion of the full 1-hour Combined Course. Following the completion of the Combined Course, PIs may choose to complete the 30-minute refresher course to comply with annual Research Security Training requirements. For more information, visit the UCCS Research Security Training Website.

(NIH) Reminder - Foreign Collaborations and Publications

-May 27, 2026

• On May 27, 2026, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) released NOT-OD-26-084 Reminder – Definition of Foreign Components, which provides a reminder of NIH’s definition of a “foreign component.”
• NIH has begun identifying co-authors listed on NIH-supported publications as potential foreign collaborators.  Previously undisclosed foreign co-authors may be an unreported foreign component.
• If a research administrator or a PI receives an inquiry from an NIH Program Officer or Grants Management Specialist asking about a foreign co-author, a foreign affiliation listed on a publication, or an unapproved foreign component, do not respond directly – instead, contact OSP for guidance as soon as possible.  
• NIH Foreign Component Websites for reference:
  • Acknowledging Foreign Components throughout NIH Application and Award Processes
  • Other Support and Foreign Component FAQs
• UCCS External Activities Webpage

If you have questions, reach out to Jacqueline Rearick, Executive Director OSPRI, or Mike Sanderson, Director of Research Integrity, for questions. We appreciate your cooperation as we navigate this process together.